England v Russia tips – bank on Three Lions to get it right on the night

Not long until Euro 2016 and England fans don’t have to wait long to see their team in action.

The Three Lions face Russia on Saturday 11 June, with Roy Hodgson trimming his squad down to 23 players and now working out the best starting XI for a Group B opener against a side who finished second behind Austria in qualifying.

Hodgson is still working out his best team for this clash, with a variety of formations being deployed in the build-up matches and it seems logical to go for a 4-3-3 formation despite the fact that Wayne Rooney would be left on the sidelines.

Harry Kane is certain to play as a central striker, with Jamie Vardy chomping at the bit to be included and there are players such as Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana who can operate as one of the wide men flanking Kane.

In midfield, Jack Wilshere, Eric Dier and Dele Alli pick themselves, with this trio likely to prosper against a Russia side who sadly miss Alan Dzagoev and his creative influence will be missed.

Not that the Russians are a one-man team and Artyom Dzyuba has flourished at senior Russia level, with the Zenit front man having scored eight goals in his sixteen appearances for his country.

Part of Russia’s problem is that this is an ageing squad and England’s fast attacks should mean they fill their boots, even if there’s more than a degree of concern over a defence which looks far from watertight.

Therefore, we think that England at a shade of odds-on can be taken with confidence, with Hodgson hopefully getting it right on the night.